PB2251: TWO POLYCYTHEMIA VERA PATIENTS WITH A DIAGNOSIS OF CONCOMITANT HEREDITARY HEMOCHROMATOSIS
Authors: H. D. Kiper Unal, T. Cetintepe, S. Solmaz, A. Subasioglu, K. Payzin
Journal: HemaSphere (2022)

Background: Hereditary Hemochromatosis (HH) is an inherited iron metabolism disorder characterized by excessive iron accumulation in the liver, heart, pancreas and other endocrine organs. Although it is often associated with mutations in the HFE gene, it can also be caused by mutations associated with HJV, TFR-2 and ferroportin. JAK2 V617F (+) Polycythemia Vera (PV) is the most common cause of acquired primary erythrocytosis and has been reported very rarely in patients with HH. Aims: We presented two polycythemia vera patients with a diagnosis of concomitant hereditary hemochromatosis. Methods: Presence of HFE gene mutation and jak-2 V617F mutation was determined by PCR test Results: Case 1: N.G, a 67-year-old male patient with a history of hypertension, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and cerebrovascular accident was diagnosed with PV in another center in 2007. The patient was JAK2 V617F (+) and the tests performed in our laboratory after phlebotomies were EPO: 7.8 mIU/ml, ferritin: 34 ng/dl, transferrin saturation: 49%. Bone marrow aspiration biopsy revealed hypercellularity with erythroid and megakaryocytic hyperplasia. Although Hb/Hct levels were within the targeted range with hydroxyurea 500 mg 2x1 treatment, he was followed up with frequent phlebotomies due to persistent pruritus. After phlebotomy, there was a significant improvement in his pruritus. He was using clopidogrel as antiaggregant treatment. During follow-up, there was deterioration in blood glucose regulation and an increase in insulin requirement. In June 2018, he developed widespread hyperpigmentation on his skin. Due to unregulated diabetes, hyperpigmentation, and high ferritin levels despite frequent phlebotomy, he was examined for HH. He was found to be heterozygous positive for the HFE gene H63D mutation. The patient is still being followed up with HU 2X1 and phlebotomy without any problem. Case 2: E.H, a 57-year-old male patient with a history of hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus was diagnosed with PV in 2015. He was JAK2 V617F(+) and at diagnosis EPO:3.7 mIU/ml, ferritin:1403 ng/ml, transferrin saturation:63%. Bone marrow aspiration biopsy revealed hypercellularity and erythroid hyperplasia. Since he was a low-risk patient under the age of 60 and had no history of thrombosis, he was followed up with ASA 100 mg/day and intermittent phlebotomies. Similar to the first case, persistent pruritus was present despite the normal Hb/Hct level. Since hyperferritinemia was not expected in polycythemia vera and the patient was diabetic, he was examined for HH. In the HFE gene analysis, the H63D mutation was found to be heterozygous. Due to the frequent need for phlebotomy, the patient is considered to start treatment with hydroxyurea, and the follow-up still continues. Summary/Conclusion: The association of HH and PV has been rarely reported in the literature, and its clinical significance is not clearly known. In the presence of unexplained high ferritin levels in PV, even if the clinical findings are unclear, screening for HH may be recommended as an appropriate approach. The role of HFE genotypes in the development of myeloproliferative diseases is unknown. Clinical data accumulation is needed to elucidate iron metabolism and prognostic features in PV patients with HFE mutations. Keywords: polycythemia vera, hereditary hemochromatosis, JAK2 V617F, HFE mutation